One of my readers shared this quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
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Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
I love that quote and appreciate being reminded of it. I marvel at people like King who speak at great personal risk. I salute and bow to those who change how we think and behave in the world.
Of course, not all of us have a destiny as big as Martin Luther King Jr. Not every truth shared has global implication. It’s easy to undervalue the significance of the small sharings compared to King’s powerful dream.
Your voice matters, even in a small scale.
Yesterday I shared an observation that I had thought might seem minor and obvious. I told a friend that since I backed off on how much time I spend on my own excellence and creations, I feel freer to marvel at others’. While I was speaking specifically about my delight in watching the remarkable athletics in the Broncos championship game, in general, not having to be the one who knows and does all the time has increased my receptivity. I am enjoying and emotionally sharing more in the wins of others.
My friend spent the next ten minutes exclaiming about how important it was for her to hear that.
Share your big dreams and your small observations. That is the ticket for staying vibrantly alive. It also is the ticket for helping others stay alive.